It felt like we, as a society, had so much optimism for the world that was to come. So, if anything, I think that’s what I’m mostly nostalgic for. I was so excited to grow up in that world. Damn.
We lived through the dawn of internet for the masses. It’s like seeing the start of the Iron Age. Historians in the future will wonder about proper like us and what went through our minds, seeing this huge inflection point in human history, and it’s not finished yet. The effects are still rippling.
You can make a telephone call now, with video, for free, to anywhere in the world. Even chatting to random strangers. The world has shrunk and we’re all getting to know each other and looking around and seeing what’s bullshit and what’s not. It’s slow progress but it’s happening.
US/Israel’s genocide live streamed is going to change the world order for example. The optimism was well placed.
I really thought that the internet would bring the 1st world and 3rd world together: e.g. I’d be able to videocall a farmer in India.
Instead our attention has been focused “upwards” towards a small minority of people, very few who interact with their followers meaningfully.
Apps that have been powering the gig economy (ridesharing, workrabbit, renting apps) have largely helped employers and landlords coordinate their efforts, and not helped the working class negotiate better conditions.
We lived through the dawn of internet for the masses. It’s like seeing the start of the Iron Age. Historians in the future will wonder about proper like us and what went through our minds, seeing this huge inflection point in human history, and it’s not finished yet. The effects are still rippling.
You can make a telephone call now, with video, for free, to anywhere in the world. Even chatting to random strangers. The world has shrunk and we’re all getting to know each other and looking around and seeing what’s bullshit and what’s not. It’s slow progress but it’s happening.
US/Israel’s genocide live streamed is going to change the world order for example. The optimism was well placed.
I really thought that the internet would bring the 1st world and 3rd world together: e.g. I’d be able to videocall a farmer in India.
Instead our attention has been focused “upwards” towards a small minority of people, very few who interact with their followers meaningfully.
Apps that have been powering the gig economy (ridesharing, workrabbit, renting apps) have largely helped employers and landlords coordinate their efforts, and not helped the working class negotiate better conditions.
I’m not sure if optimism is warranted tbh